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The Allegheny River flows for miles through the western part of Pennsylvania, providing numerous opportunities for hunters and anglers alike along its path. While there are many decisions to make about where to go, my favorite stretch of the river is from the town of Warren in Warren County downstream to the town of Tionesta in Forest County. One of the reasons that I prefer this stretch of water is the public land associated with the river. Along with the Allegheny National Forest, there are a few state game lands that either connect to the river or are just a short distance away. This makes the river an ideal travel course for the sportsman who chooses this part of the state.

Of course, the river is an ideal place for fishing on a year-round basis, with smallmouth bass, muskie, northern pike, carp, catfish, trout and a host of panfish. I particularly like the bass and carp action on the river, especially during the summer and fall months. There are an untold number of eddies and deep pools, all of which seem to contain a hungry school of bass that will attack your lures and baits. This allows the anglers fishing from the bank or boat to have nearly nonstop action all day long.

Many anglers often overlook carp, but they are numerous in the river, not to mention that they grow to grand sizes. Battling a 20-pound, or bigger, carp in these currents is truly an experience you won't soon forget. No, they are not great table fare, but they offer a realistic chance at catching a truly huge freshwater fish.

Maybe you are not into catching carp on rod and reel, so there is another way to go after them on the river. If you like bowfishing, then this portion of the Allegheny River should be right up your alley. Night or day, the opportunities are endless for shooting carp with your bow. Again, be prepared for a battle once you have connected with a shot. Although the Allegheny River is mostly associated with its boating and fishing experiences, it is the hunting opportunities that I really like on this stretch of the river. There are numerous islands scattered about this stretch, and those islands are sometimes home to an assortment of game animals. One of my more memorable Pennsylvania hunts took place here nearly two decades ago; however, I still remember it as though it happened yesterday. I hooked up with a good friend to float the river at night during the latter part of November to call for raccoons on the islands. We had some success that night, but that was not the highlight for me. Just being out there in a new environment under the cover of darkness made it memorable. I wouldn't suggest you do this without having adequate knowledge of the river and taking all the necessary safety precautions.

Along with small-game opportunities, big game also frequents the river islands and the nearby shorelines. Whitetails in particular are known for their ability to hide in small areas, and the numerous rivers and small parcels of shoreline cover are prime locations. They are not always easy to access, nor possible to hunt for that matter, but once you have located a place that consistently holds

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